Fixtures 2018 – 1st XI

Abingdon Vale won the toss and elected to field first. The two Toms, Nash and Harris, opened the batting for Charlbury and got them off to a reasonable start. Tom Harris got things moving when he stroked a couple of deliveries to the boundary for four. The outfield was fairly quick and the ball would fly off towards the boundary if it beat the infield. A no-ball was bowled and Tom Nash made the most of a free hit by hammering the ball back passed the bowler for four. After eight overs Charlbury were 25-0. Both batsmen were playing a cautious game against some tight bowling, both playing defensively when needed, but also looking for the quick single. After ten overs a change in the bowling was made and this had an instant impact as Tom Nash missed the first delivery and was bowled. Graham now strode to the crease. Graham was quickly off the mark, hitting one shot over the top for a one bounce four. Another change in the bowling was made as the other opening bowler left the attack and a new one entered it. Graham hammered an early boundary off of the new bowler to try and put some pressure onto the fielding side. Then disaster struck as first Graham miss-timed one and hit the ball high into the air and was caught. Then two balls later Tom edged one to the keeper and was caught leaving Charlbury 43-3 off of 16 overs. Ben and Ashley had now entered the fray. Ben was quickly off of the mark when he drove the ball for four. Ashley got off the mark next over when he pushed the ball to the boundary before Ben finished the over with another four. Both batsmen were playing well and it looked like Charlbury were getting back into the game. In the 20th over Ashley launched one back over the bowler’s head and the ball hit the middle of the side-screen for a six. Then disaster struck as Ben edged one and was caught by the keeper. Bimalka now came to the crease. The two bowlers slowly settled into a better length and line and started to make run scoring slightly harder so both batsmen contented themselves with pushing a few singles around. Then Ashley edged one and he too was caught by the wicket-keeper leaving Charlbury 77-5 off of 24 overs. Stuart now came to the crease. Stuart was quickly off of the mark with a couple of fours. Bimalka was batting cautiously, trying to make sure Charlbury did not lose any more wickets. A change in the bowling was then made. Bimalka edged one off of the new bowler to slip and was caught meaning Charlie had to come to the crease. Charlbury still had many more overs to bat and were still some way off a defendable target. Charlie was quickly away with a boundary four. Stuart was looking good at the crease, always on the lookout for a single, but also punishing anything loose. Another change in the bowling was made as a new bowler entered the attack. Charlbury attacked the new bowler from the off hitting him for several fours and so after two overs he left the attack and a new bowler came on. Charlie was busy at the wicket, constantly on the lookout for the single, but also playing defensively when needed. Charlie hit a couple of fours prompting another change in the bowling as one of the opening bowlers returned to the attack. Stuart attacked the returning opening bowler, hitting him for a couple of fours before Charlie finished the over off with another boundary. Charlbury were now flying along as they reached 183-7 off of 41 overs. Stuart then launched a massive six out of the ground before pushing a single to take him to a well deserved fifty. Next over Charlie pushed a single and he too reached a well deserved fifty. The overs were now running out fast and so Charlbury had to start attacking harder. The hundred partnership was brought up as both batsmen continued to press hard. Stuart then hit back to back fours as Charlbury started to really push on. Next over and the partnership was broken as Charlie missed one and was bowled for a great 60. Matt now entered the fray and just tried to give the strike to Stuart. Next over and the other opening bowler re-entered the attack. Matt hit the returning bowler for four before Stuart finished the over off with another massive six. The first change bowler then had to come on for the 49th over as the other opening bowler had finished his spell. Matt launched into the returning bowler, powerfully pulling three consecutive boundary fours. Last over and Stuart tries to hit a six, but is caught on the boundary for a fantastic 86. Some hard running in the last couple of balls took Charlbury to an impressive 267-8.

Charlbury would have to bowl well as it seemed to be a good wicket. Matt and Stuart opened the bowling. The outfield was still quick and a couple of shots broke thru the infield and shot off to the boundary. Matt quickly dropped into a good line and length and started to cause a few problems for the batsmen. Stuart took a couple of overs to find his length and line, but when he did he started to make life awkward, using his pace and bounce to cause problems. After eight overs Abingdon had reached 33-0. One batsman was dominating the strike and he was also doing the bulk of the scoring, Charlbury were going to need him out quickly if they were to stay in the game. A couple more boundaries were hit and both batsmen were looking fairly comfortable. Then in the twelfth over Stuart got one to swing back in, the batsman left it and was bowled, Charlbury had the man they wanted. Chasing a big total meant that the batsmen had to keep on trying to go for it just to keep up with the required rate. After 14 overs a change in the bowling was made as Matt left the attack and Bimalka entered it. Bimalka was quickly into a good length and line, finding some turn which made run scoring slightly more difficult. After 20 overs Abingdon had reached 91-1 and were still looking in a good position to make an assault on their target. A change in the bowling was now made as Jake came on for Stuart. Jake dropped straight into an immaculate length and line and the batsmen found him almost impossible to get away. In his third over Jake got the breakthru as he wrapped one batsman on the pads and he was given out adjudged LBW. Next over things got even better for Charlbury as the new batsman tried to hit Bimalka for six, but could only find Tom Nash on the boundary and he took a great catch leaving Abingdon 113-3 off of 25 overs. A double change in the bowling was now made as Charlie came on for Jake, who changed ends replacing Bimalka. The change made an instant impact as the new batsman miss-hit one off of Charlie and the ball flew up on the leg-side and Bimalka took a good catch. In his next over the new batsman hit one high in the air and again Bimalka took the catch. Jake then got amongst the wickets as he clean bowled the new batsman, leaving Abingdon 122-6 off of 29 overs. Abingdon had really collapsed and Charlbury were now going for the kill. The two Abingdon batsman just tried to see off a few overs, with the opening batsman now playing more attacking shots. The score started rise, but then Charlbury got a massive bonus. The batsmen took a single off of Jake, Ashley threw at the stumps and missed, the ball was then miss-fielded and the batsmen went for the second, Bimalka quickly recovered the ball and threw it Steve who executed the run out. The game was all but over now as in the next over Charlie found the edge and the ball flew to first slip where Ben took a good catch. Next over Jake found the edge and Steve took a good catch behind the stumps leaving Abingdon nine wickets down. It was all over first ball of the next over as Charlie wrapped a batsman on the pads and he was given out adjudged LBW and Abingdon Vale were 145 all out.

A great win for the lads built on a club record seventh wicket partnership of 126 between Stuart and Charlie and then Jake and Charlie ran thru the Abingdon innings to seal victory and sixth place in Division 4 – well played lads.

Long Marston won the toss and elected to bowl first. Tom and Rob opened the batting and got Charlbury off to a reasonable start. A no-ball was bowled in the first over meaning there was a free hit. Tom took a stride forward and smashed the ball back passed the bowler for four. Both batsmen then pushed the ball around for twos and threes on the huge outfield. Then disaster struck as Rob was wrapped on the pads and given out adjudged LBW. Ajit now came to the crease. Bot h Long Marston bowlers had now settled into a great line and length and both batsmen were struggling to get the ball away for any runs. In the eighth over Ajit edged one and was caught at first slip to leave Charlbury 26-2. Ben now strode to the crease. Tom was batting very cautiously, pushing the odd single around, but mainly playing defensively against some good bowling. Ben started more aggressively, getting off the mark with a hard run three before in the next over hitting back to back fours. After eleven overs a change in the bowling was made and Long Marston brought on a new bowler. The new bowler quickly dropped into a good length and line. Ben pulled a delivery into the leg-side and the ball quickly flew to the boundary for four. Then disaster struck as Tom missed on and was bowled leaving Charlbury 46-3 off of 18 overs. Graham now entered the fray. Ben was looking good as he stroked the ball around on both sides of the wicket, always on the lookout for a run, but playing defensively when needed. Some rain began to fall and the players had to leave the ground, on the resumption the game had been reduced to 48 overs a side. Ben then crashed two more boundaries thru the off side as Charlbury started to try and accelerate the innings. Graham lofted the ball back over the bowler’s head and to the boundary for four, then next ball flicked one leg side for another boundary. Next ball Graham tried to repeat the act, but got a leading edge and the ball flew high into the air and the bowler took the catch. The captain, Bimalka, now came to the wicket. Ben cracked another couple of lovely shots and on each occasion the ball flew to the boundary for four. A change in the bowling was now made as the opening bowler had finished his allotted overs and a new bowler entered the attack. Ben drove the new bowler to the boundary for four, but then late on in the over he missed one and was bowled for a good 46. Charlie now strode to the crease. A couple of overs later a new bowler entered the attack replacing the first change bowler. The new bowler was a spinner and in his first over Bimalka hit him to the boundary for four. After 27 overs Charlbury had reached 127-5 and now needed to push on hard if they were to set a defendable total. Both players ran hard for every run and Charlie hit a couple of fours to keep the score moving along at a good rate. Bimalka was looking good, playing defensively at first just to get himself in before looking to attack. Then disaster struck as Charlie was wrapped ion the pads and given out adjudged LBW. Before new batsman Stuart could face a ball down came the rain and the players left the field once again. On the resumption the game had been reduced to 47 overs a side. Now with the overs running out fast Charlbury had to try and put their foot down. A change of bowling was made as one of the opening bowlers returned to the attack. Both batsmen took a couple of overs to get going. Then Bimalka pulled one to the leg-side and the ball flew all the way over the boundary for six. Stuart was looking comfortable at the wicket, pushing a few ones and twos around and trying to give Bimalka the strike. Then Bimalka hit out, running hard for twos and threes whilst also hitting a couple of fours off of one over to take Charlbury to 174-6 off of 37 overs. Next over Bimalka pushed a two and went to a well deserved fifty. A change in the bowling was then made as the opening bowler left the attack and the Long Marston captain brought himself on. Then disaster struck as Bimalka miss-hit one straight at a fielder and he was caught meaning Barry now came to the crease. Both players ran hard and both found a boundary four before yet more rain came with Charlbury 212-7 off of 42 overs. An early tea was had and on the resumption the game was reduced to 45 overs a side. The last three overs were carnage with both batsmen running hard for everything, Stuart hit a couple of fours and the score raced along. Then came the last over. A couple of singles were pushed leaving Barry on strike. Barry leant into one shot and the ball flew out of the ground and into a neighbouring field for a massive six. A boundary four soon followed before last ball of the innings another massive six was hit meaning Charlbury had hit 40 runs in the last three overs taking them to 252-7.

Matt and Stuart opened the bowling for Charlbury and got them off to a reasonable start. Matt was quickly into a great line and length and caused a few problems for the batsmen. Stuart did not quite find as good a line, but when he did he managed to rush the batsmen and get them playing and missing. The fielders backed the bowlers up from the off, diving around to stop the ball and chasing everything to the boundary. Then Charlbury got a bonus when the non-striker called for a run and the striker hesitated. Rob quickly fielded the ball and threw it in to Matt who executed the run out. Charlbury were bowling well and making sure that the batsmen had to work hard for every one of their runs. After ten overs Long Marston had reached 46-1. A double change in the bowling was then made as Bimalka came on for Stuart and then an over later Jake replaced Matt. Both bowlers immediately dropped into great lines and lengths and made run scoring very difficult. In Bimalka’s second over Charlbury got a big wicket when the Long Marston captain lofted the ball into the deep, but could not clear Charlie who took a great catch. Then Charlbury had a big three over spell. First the other opening batsman tried to hit out at Bimalka, but just hit the ball high into the air and Stuart stood at long-on took a good catch. Next over Jake came to the party and clean bowled one batsman and then in the next over Bimalka bowled a batsman leaving Long Marston 74-5 off of 20 overs. Charlbury were in the driving seat and kept the pressure on, keeping close fielders in. The batsmen now contented themselves with pushing the ball around for the odd run or boundary while trying to make sure no more wickets were lost. Then Bimalka finally broke thru one batsman’s defences and bowled him. After 28 overs Long Marston were 100-6 and Bimalka had just finished his great nine over spell. Jake now bowled his last over and it was a great one. First he bowled a slower one, deceived the batsman and bowled him and then two balls later he clean bowled the new batsman, Charlbury were nearly there. Stuart now entered the fray in place of Bimalka and Charlie came on for Jake. Both bowlers kept up the pressure on the batsmen. In his second over back Stuart was too quick for one batsman and bowled him. The last couple of batsmen put on a few runs, but when the last man missed one from Charlie he was bowled and Charlbury had won by 124 runs.

A great win by the lads built on innings from Ben, Bimalka, Stuart and Barry and then some great bowling from Bimalka and Jake sealed the victory – well played lads.

Charlbury won the toss and elected to bat first. The two Toms, Harris and Nash, opened the batting. The first over was good with a couple of runs pushed before Tom Nash hammered a free hit to the boundary, smashing the ball square of the wicket. Next over things started to go wrong. Tom Harris missed one and was bowled bringing captain, Ajit to the crease. Ajit was there a couple of overs, but when he edged one the wicket-keeper took the catch and Charlbury were 9-2 off of 4 overs. Ben Sinton now walked to the wicket. Tom flicked off of his pads and the ball rolled to the boundary, just making it over the white line. Tom was looking good, defending the many good deliveries, but always on the lookout for the quick single. Ben too started confidently, pushing a couple of singles, but looking to leave anything not on the stumps. Ben flicked a ball leg-side for four and then next over Tom hit two deliveries to the boundary, both of them teasing the fielders to stop them before trickling over the line. After ten overs Charlbury had reached 33-2. After 14 overs a double change in the bowling was made and this had an immediate impact. First over from one of the new bowlers and he wrapped Tom on the pads and he was given out adjudged LBW. Josh now entered the fray. The new bowlers had both dropped into a great line and length from the off and suddenly Charlbury found runs almost impossible to score. The overs ticked by with hardly a run being scored, then disaster struck. First Ben called for a quick single, but the Brackley fielder quickly got hold of the ball threw it at the stumps and a direct hit saw Ben run out. Then two balls later Josh edges one and the wicket-keeper took the catch. Steve and Charlie were both now at the crease and had to try and rebuild the innings. After 22 overs Charlbury had reached 48-5. Charlie then smashed one back over the bowler’s head and it ran away for four. Then disaster struck as Charlie got a fine edge and the wicket-keeper took another catch. Next over Steve was wrapped on the pads and given out adjudged LBW. Tom Eaton and Matt now came to the crease. Tom was quickly off and going when he smashed his second delivery to the boundary for four. Matt too was quickly off and going when he drilled one back passed the bowler for four. A change in the bowling was now made as the first change bowler left the attack and a spinner entered it. Matt now started to attack, launching one bowler for consecutive fours. Then next over Tom smashed the spinner for four to take Charlbury to 82-7 off of 29 overs. Matt hammered another delivery for four, but two deliveries later he got an edge and the wicket-keeper took a very low down catch. Ollie now came to the crease. Tom launched another boundary off of the spinner and so the spinner was taken out of the attack and one of the opening bowlers returned. Next over Tom tried to hit out at another delivery, missed the ball and was bowled. Dean now came to the crease. Dean pushed the ball for a two before playing a lovely lofted drive back over the bowler’s head for a one bounce four, taking Charlbury to 100. Two balls later Dean tried to play the same shot again, but did not quite catch it right and a fielder got underneath it and took a catch on the boundary.

Charlbury were going to have to bowl well if they were to stand any chance in this game. Matt and Ollie opened the bowling. The batsmen attacked in the first couple of overs to try and put the bowlers under pressure. The outfield was quick and a couple of early shots flew to the boundary for four. Then one batsman took a big swing at one of Matt’s deliveries, skied the ball and wicket-keeper Steve got underneath the ball and took the catch. After five overs Brackley were 21-1. After seven overs Ollie came out of the attack and Charlie entered it as Charlbury continued to search for wickets. The batsman was left handed and attacked from the off, hitting a couple of early boundaries. Brackley were pushing hard and with a low total to defend Charlbury could not have too many defensive fielders. Then Charlbury grabbed their second wicket when the left hander tried to hit Charlie for six, but could only find Josh on the boundary and he took the catch. Matt was bowling really well, getting some movement off of the pitch and with his height also getting a bit of bounce. Charlie too was bowling well, getting some turn and bounce and causing a few problems for the batsmen. Just before tea Matt left the attack and Dean entered it as Charlbury desperately searched for more wickets. The players went to team with Brackley 73-2 off of 13 overs. On the resumption Charlie and Dean continued to bowl. Dean had started slowly, but was now landing the ball in good areas and getting some turn out of the pitch. Charlie too was still bowling well and the batsmen were unable to get him away for many runs, he was also making the batsmen play a few false shots. The batsmen knew they had plenty of overs in which to get the runs so just contented themselves with pushing ones and twos around. Slowly but surely the target got closer and closer and when one batsman hit Dean for a four the game was over and Brackley had won by eight wickets.

Tiddington won the toss and on a warm day elected to bat first. Bimalka and Matt opened the bowling for Charlbury and got them off to a reasonable start. After bowling two overs and not seeing much turn in the wicket Bimalka came out of the attack and Jake entered it. Matt quickly dropped into a great line and length and with his extra height managed to cause a few problems with some extra bounce. Jake started well, getting some movement off of the pitch and made the batsmen play and miss. Matt grabbed the first wicket when one batsman miss-hit him to mid-off and Charlie gratefully took the catch. After eight overs Tiddington were 24-1. The new batsman now started to attack, playing several powerful straight drives which flew to the boundary for four. The score now started to rise quickly. The outfield was still quick due to all of the recent hot weather and most shots that beat the infield went to the boundary. The opening batsman then started to play a few more shots and with the score rising Charlbury decided to change the bowling around by bringing Charlie on in place of Matt. Charlie dropped into a reasonable length and line quickly and found a little bit of turn to give the batsmen something to think about. Bimalka then returned to the attack in place of Jake. At drinks, after 17 overs, Tiddington had raced onto 85-1 and Charlbury were now looking at chasing a big total if they did not start taking some wickets. Bimalka had dropped into a good line and length which made it hard for the batsmen to get the ball away for many runs. Then Charlbury grabbed a wicket. Bimalka tossed one up and the opening batsman tried to hit him for six, but could only find young Ben Sinton on the boundary who took a good catch. Next over things got even better as the ne batsman walked passed one of Charlie’s deliveries and Steve whipped the bails off to stump him, Charlbury were back in the game. The new batsman took it upon himself to try and hit Tiddington out of any trouble they might be in and hit a couple of big sixes. The hard hitting number three was still there and Charlbury would need him out if they were to keep the total down. After 23 overs Tiddington were 121-3. A couple of overs later Charlbury got their man. The hard hitting number three hit the ball back at Bimalka, low down to his right, Bimalka dived and took a great catch to get his second victim of the innings and his 300th first team wicket. Next over the batsman who had been hitting sixes tried to sweep Charlie, but got a top edge and the ball lobbed straight up in the air and Matt ran round from slip to take the catch. In the next over one batsman tried to smash out at Bimalka, but just hit the ball straight to Tom and he took a good catch leaving Tiddington 138-6 off of 27 overs. With only half the overs batted The two new batsman now tried to just play a few overs out so as not to lose any more quick wickets. Charlbury were fielding well, backing up their bowlers and giving nothing away. Then Charlbury had a big over. First ball one batsman tried to hit Charlie for six, but could only find Ben Forrester who ran in from the boundary and took a good catch. Two balls later the new batman had a wild swing at Charlie, but could only hit the ball to Jake and he took a good tumbling catch. 150-8 off of 30 overs and Tiddington were now in trouble. The batsman now just pushed a few singles around for a couple of overs, but then Charlie struck again. One batsman tried to hit the ball leg side, but only skied the ball and Josh took the catch and then two balls later the last player edged the ball and Steve took the catch to mean all eight of the catches taken were by a different player and Tiddington were all out for 160.

Charlbury now had to bat for an hour before tea and so Tom and Ajit opened the batting. Tom started well flicking the first ball of the inning for four before hitting another one at the end of the over. Next over Tom drilled another shot back passed the bowler for four as Charlbury got off to a good start. Next over Ajit could not get his gloves out of the way and when the ball glanced them and the keeper took the catch Ajit was out meaning Ben Sinton had to come to the crease. One bowler now settled into a good line and length and made run scoring more difficult. The other end started to concede some runs though as both players hit boundary fours. A change of bowling was made, but to no avail as Ben went on the attack, pulling and driving the ball to the boundary three times in one over. After nine overs Charlbury had raced onto 53-1 and another change in bowling was made as Tiddington desperately tried to get back in the game. The new bowler was a spinner and after being hit for four in his first over he settled down into a good line and length. Another change was made as another spinner entered the attack as Tiddington sought to slow things down. Charlbury went to tea after 16 overs at 71-1. At the resumption the spinners continued. Ben was batting well, always on the lookout for the quick single, but also pouncing on anything loose and hitting it away for four. Tom too was looking good as he defended the good deliveries and looked to push ones and twos around. Both batsmen were running hard for every run, trying to keep the pressure on the fielding side. Another change in the bowling was made and this had an immediate impact. Second ball and Ben played at a wide one, got and edge and the keeper took the catch and Ben was out for a great 44. Ben Forrester now came to the wicket. Tom continued to bat on, pulling another delivery to the boundary for four to take Charlbury over the hundred mark. Then disaster struck as Tom miss-hit one and was caught for a good 45 leaving Charlbury 107-3 off of 26 overs. Bimalka now entered the fray. Both batsmen now just pushed the ball around for a few singles just to get themselves in. Charlbury were in no danger with the required rate as they had over sixty overs in their innings in which to get the runs. Bimalka hit a four and then Ben did likewise as Charlbury edged closer and closer to victory. Then Bimalka was wrapped on the pads and given out adjudged LBW. Charlie now came to the crease. Ben hammered two deliveries in one over to the boundary for four. Another change in the bowling was made as Tiddington desperately sought more wickets. The opening bowler returned, but only for a couple of overs and then he was replaced by a new bowler. Then when he was on 28 Ben had to retire hurt. Captain, Josh now joined Charlie at the crease. Another new bowler entered the attack and Josh quickly got off the mark by hammering him thru the off-side for four. Next over disaster struck when Charlie was wrapped on the pads and given out adjudged LBW meaning Marcus came to the wicket. 150-5 off of 41 overs, Charlbury were edging closer to victory. A few singles were pushed and then Josh hit a four. Next ball went for four byes and Charlbury had won by five wickets.

A great win by the lads started by some great bowling from Charlie and Bimalka and then followed up by some great batting from Tom and Ben – well played lads.

Charlbury won the toss and elected to bat first. The two Toms, Nash and Harris, opened the batting for Charlbury. In the first over Tom Nash edged a couple of deliveries and both shot to the boundary for four. The outfield was quick despite a shower before the game so good fielding was going to be the order of the day if scores were to be kept down. The bowlers quickly settled into a good line and length and both batsmen found scoring more difficult. Tom Nash then missed one and was bowled leaving Charlbury 14-1 off of seven overs. Ajit now came to the crease. Tom Harris was batting well, keeping the many good deliveries out whilst trying to get his eye in. Tom then flicked one of off his pads and the ball raced away for four. A couple of overs later things got even better for Charlbury as both batsmen hit the ball for four. Ajit was looking his usual self, defending when necessary, but also looking to score off of anything he felt was even slightly loose. A change in the bowling was then made as one of the opening bowlers made way for a slow bowler. After 16 overs Charlbury had reached 37-1. Thame were bowling and fielding well and both batsmen were struggling to get the ball away for many runs. Ajit attacked the new bowler and hit him to the boundary for four. A couple of overs later the other opening bowler left the attack and another slow bowler entered it. The new bowler made an immediate impact as he wrapped Ajit on the pads and he was given out adjudged LBW. Ben now came to the crease. Tom then attacked one of the bowlers hitting him for a couple of boundary fours and trying to put the pressure back onto the bowling side. Then just as the over was ending Tom was wrapped on the pads and given out adjudged LBW leaving Charlbury 72-3 off of 23 overs as Stuart came to the wicket. Stuart was quickly off of the mark with a two, but was not there too long as a couple of overs later he missed one and was bowled. Charlie now joined his son at the crease. Both batsmen now took a few overs just to try and get their eye in, but also to make sure no more quick wickets fell. Ben stroked one delivery thru the leg side for four to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Ben was looking good at the crease, defending the good deliveries, but still trying to pick up singles when they were on offer. Then disaster struck as Ben edged one and the wicket-keeper took the catch. Graham now entered the fray. Charlie was looking in no trouble at the wicket, but he too was struggling to score many runs. Both batsmen looked to now try and push on for a few runs as the overs were starting to run out and there were some grey clouds in the sky. Graham tried to hit out at one, but miss-hit the ball and it flew high into the air and mid-on took the catch. Captain, Josh, now joined Charlie at the crease. Charlie then drilled one, low to the ground, but a fielder dived forward and took a great catch and Charlbury were 100-7. Matt now joined his captain at the crease. Josh hammered a couple of boundary fours as the rain started to fall. The over was finished and the players left the ground as heavier rain fell. After a short break and no overs lost the game resumed with Charlbury 113-7 off of 37 overs. Josh was looking comfortable as he pushed the ball around for a few singles. Matt did not look in much trouble as he pushed the ball around and powerfully hammered a boundary four. Then disaster struck as first Matt was caught by a low down catch and then next over Josh flicked one off of his pads only to see the ball carry to a leg-side fielder who took the catch. 123-9 off of 41 overs and Barry and Jake at the wicket, Charlbury had to try and bat as many overs as they could to try and set a total. Barry went on the attack and hit several deliveries powerfully to the boundary and all straight back passed the bowler. Jake pushed a couple of singles around before he too smashed one back over the bowler’s head and to the boundary for four. The 150 mark was reached and Barry continued to attack. A powerful hit saw the fielder get under the ball, but it burst thru his hands and flew over the boundary for four. Soon afterwards Barry was caught for 29 as he went for another bit hit and Charlbury were all out for 161.

Charlbury were going to have to bowl well if they were going to come close to defending their total. Barry and Stuart opened the bowling. The batsmen attacked from the off and with the boundary still being lightning quick the boundaries started to come. After five overs Thame had reached 40-0 and Charlbury were going to need to start taking wickets if they were to get back in the game. Then Stuart got Charlbury back in the game when he clean bowled one batsman. Barry left the attack and Matt entered it. Matt dropped straight into a great line and length and started to make run scoring more difficult. Stuart was now in the middle of a great spell and in his next over he found the edge of the bat and the new batsman was caught by wicket-keeper Graham. First ball of his next over and Stuart clean bowled the next batsman as suddenly Thame were 44-3 off of ten overs. Stuart was bowling a great spell, using his pace and height to get some bounce, but also getting some movement out of the pitch. Matt too was bowling a great spell, getting the ball to zip around off of the wicket. Charlbury were also fielding really well, diving and stopping many deliveries. Then just as it was looking interesting the rain came and the players left the pitch for an extended time. On their return Thame had been reduced to 40 overs. Matt now came out of the attack and Charlie entered it as Charlbury sought more wickets to keep the pressure on. The batsmen had now started to play a few more shots and run a bit harder to try and get their scoring rate back on track. Stuart left the attack and Tom Harris came on for an over to try and speed the over rate up a bit. Thame were now running hard for every single run in case more rain came and the game was abandoned. Tom only bowled one over and then Stuart re-entered the attack. Charlie was getting no turn and so Jake entered the attack to see if he could get something out of the wicket. The ball had by now got wet and was difficult to bowl with and although this had slowed the outfield down a lot it was still hard for the fielding side. With more black clouds threatening the batsmen really went for it and found several more boundaries. Then the rain came and again the players left the field. On their return Thame were reduced to 33 overs and the score was 115-3 off 26 overs. Stuart had now finished his allotted overs and so Matt replaced him in the attack. Thame are second in the table and fighting for promotion and so needing the win they really went for it with the bat, running for nearly everything, pushing and running as well as hitting the ball around. Jake left the attack and Barry entered it. Not many runs needed, but then Barry bowled one batsmen. Next over the game was over as a hard run three saw Thame to victory by six wickets.

Charlbury won the toss and on a warm day elected to bat first. Graham and Ajit opened the batting, but things did not start off well. Graham faced the first over and got things going with a two before flicking a delivery off of his legs for four. Next ball Graham missed and it brushed his pads before going onto the stumps and he was bowled. Bimalka now came to the crease. Ajit played a late cut to the boundary for four. The outfield was quick due to all of the hot weather recently and most of the shots that beat the infield raced away from the fielders. Ajit played another late cut and found another boundary as Charlbury reached 25-1 off of five overs. Bimalka started off slowly, just looking to pick up the odd single here and there whilst also defending the many good deliveries. Ajit was playing a slightly more attacking role, but he too was leaving many good deliveries. The pitch had quite a bit of bounce in it due to being baked in the hot weather. Both Mills bowlers had by now settled into a good line and length and were starting to cause a few problems. After 13 overs Charlbury had reached 52-1 and were now looking to set a good base from which to build from. Ajit then lofted one over the bowler’s head and it raced away for four. Next over Bimalka smashed one thru the covers and that too flew off to the boundary. A change in the bowling was now made and a left arm seamer entered the attack. The new bowler made an immediate impact. Early in the over Ajit was wrapped on the pads and given out adjudged LBW. Ben now came to the crease. In the new bowler’s next over things got even worse for Charlbury as he bowled Bimalka to leave Charlbury 68-3 off of 17 overs. Stuart now joined Ben at the crease. Mills were bowling really well and both batsmen just tried to stay there and pick up the odd single to keep the scoreboard turning over. Another change in the bowling was made as a new bowler replaced the other opening bowler. The new bowler dropped straight into a great line and length and made run scoring virtually impossible. The overs ticked by with hardly a run being scored as both batsmen played very defensively against some tough bowling. The one thing that was helping the Charlbury score was the plethora of extras being given away. Then disaster struck as Stuart was wrapped on the pads and given out adjudged LBW. Charlie now entered the fray. Charlie was quickly off and going with a boundary four thru the covers. Next over he played a slog-sweep which flew out of the ground for a six to take Charlbury to 96-4 off of 30 overs. Then disaster struck for both sides. First Ben edged the ball and the wicket-keeper took the catch. The bowler bowled one more ball, but in doing so he pulled his hamstring and could no longer bowl so a new bowler came on to finish the over off. Matt had joined Charlie at the crease, but was not there too long as when he tried to hit out at one as he skied the ball and the catch was taken. Steve now entered the fray. Charlie was still looking good, playing many defensive shots at good deliveries, but always on the lookout for runs if there was a loose delivery. Steve started well smashing a delivery to the boundary for four and then followed it up with another one in the next over. Steve was looking in good shape as he stroked another boundary. Then disaster struck as Charlie called for a quick single, but the fielder quickly grabbed the ball and got it into the wicket-keeper who ran Steve out. Paul now came to the crease. A couple of overs now ticked by with very few runs scored. Charlie hit a four in the 40th over to take Charlbury to 125-7 and with the overs now running out Charlbury had to get a move on if they were going to set a defendable target. Mills were informed that they were slow bowling their overs and needed to get a move on and this started to benefit Charlbury. As the bowlers tried to get thru their overs quicker it meant they did not concentrate as hard where the ball was going and so started to give away a few more loose deliveries. Charlie took advantage hitting a couple of boundaries. A change in the bowling was made as a spinner entered the attack. Charlbury continued to attack hard with Charlie hitting the spinner for four. The extras were still coming at a good rate. Charlie hit a four and then Paul followed it up with another. Another four for Charlie saw him reach a well deserved fifty as Charlbury raced to 179-7 off of 47 overs. Next over a quick run was attempted, but Paul was just short of his ground and run out. Ollie came to the crease, but was not there too long as he edged one and the wicket-keeper took the catch. Last man Jake now joined Charlie at the crease. Charlie picked up a couple of twos before launching the spinner out of the ground for six, bringing up the 200 mark. Next over Charlie hit a four, but last ball of the over he was given out adjudged LBW for a great 69 and Charlbury were all out for 205.

Charlbury would have to bowl well if they were to win the game. Jake and Bimalka opened the bowling. The first couple of overs were tight, but then one batsman decided to play a few shots and with the outfield still being very fast the ball sped away for four. After six overs Mills had reached 31-0 and Charlbury were going to need wickets if they were to win the game. After eight overs a change in the bowling was made as Stuart replaced Jake in the attack, but one batsman continued to attack. Then Charlbury got their man as one shot too many against Bimalka saw him miss the ball and get bowled. Bimalka was bowling in his usual way, giving little away and making the batsmen play at everything. Stuart now started to find a better length and line with the ball and with the extra bounce in the pitch he started to become a handful. The run rate started to slow slightly as Charlbury started to settle. After 15 overs Mills had reached 64-1 and it looked like it might be a close game. Charlbury were fielding well, diving everywhere and chasing everything in order to stop the runs. The new batsman now played a couple of shots as Mills started to try and up the run rate. Stuart then got a wicket when he bowled one and it reared up on the batsman who tried to get his bat out of the way, but he could only hit the ball onto his stumps and was bowled. Matt now replaced Bimalka in the attack and this change had a massive impact on the game. In his first over one batsman miss-hit one off of Matt and Bimalka took a great catch low down at mid-off. Then last ball of the over Matt clean bowled the new batsman, Charlbury were right back in the game. Matt had dropped into a great line and length and none of the batsman could do anything but pad up to him. In his third over Matt grabbed another wicket when the new batsman skied the ball and Paul got under it to take a great catch, leaving Mills 99-5 off of 26 overs. Charlie now came on in place of Stuart and dropped into his usual great line and length from the off. Charlbury were really tying the Mills batsmen up as Matt bowled his fourth maiden in a row. In his fifth over Matt grabbed his fourth victim as the Mills captain drove the ball, low down at Paul who took another great catch leaving Matt with figures of 4-0. The number four batsman was still there and decided he had to play a few shots to try and get Mills back into the game. A few runs came as the batsman hit a couple of fours. The new batsman tried to hit out at Charlie, but hit the ball high into the air for Charlie’s son Ben to take a good catch. Matt now left the attack and Bimalka re-entered. Charlie then bowled a great over. First the number four batsman tried to hit Charlie for six, but could only find Ollie on the boundary who took a good catch. The new batsman was the bowler who had pulled his hamstring and so he had a runner, but the runner wasn’t required as three balls later the batsman tried to smash Charlie, but skied the ball and Paul had his third catch of the day. One wicket left and eleven overs to get it. The last man hit a couple of boundaries, but when the other batsman played a tame shot at one of Bimalka’s deliveries, Matt took the catch and Charlbury had won by 73 runs.

A great win for the lads built on a fabulous knock from Charlie and then a great spells of bowling from Matt and Charlie won the game – well played lads.

Shipton won the toss and on a very hot day elected to bat first. Barry and Bimalka opened the bowling for Charlbury and got them off to a good start. Barry dropped straight on the mark from ball one, getting the ball move around a bit off the pitch which made the batsmen play and miss several times. Bimalka also dropped into a great line and length, getting some turn and bounce which made run scoring difficult from the off. After eight overs Shipton were 5-0 as the Charlbury bowlers sought to strangle the life out of the innings. Charlbury were fielding well, backing their bowlers up which made run scoring even harder. After ten overs a change in the bowling was made as Barry made way for Paul. Bimalka was bowling a great spell and both the batsmen were struggling to get him away. Paul was quickly into a good line and length and kept all the pressure on the batsmen. Bimalka then came out of the attack and Jake entered it. An over later Paul left the attack and Tom Harris entered it. After 20 overs Shipton had reached 26-0 and although they were not scoring quickly they had set a good foundation on which to build. Finally the breakthru was made when a miss-field off of one of Jake’s deliveries saw the batsmen run, but Tom Harris made a quick recovery, threw the ball to Steve and he executed the run out. Two young batsmen now at the crease and they began to play a few more shots and run harder for every run. A double change in the bowling was made as Charlbury sought to take more wickets, so Ollie and Barry came on to bowl. First ball of Ollie’s spell and he grabbed a wicket when he found the outside edge and Steve took a good catch behind the stumps. With such a slow start the batsmen now had to attack hard and with Charlbury keeping an attacking field plus a very fast outfield the runs started to come. After 30 overs Shipton had moved onto 79-2 and would now need to push on hard for the remainder of their innings. Ollie then grabbed his second victim of the day when he bowled one batsman. Another double change in the bowling was made as Bimalka and Jake both returned to the attack. Both bowlers immediately dropped into an immaculate line and length, giving very little away and making the batsmen do all the work. Jake then grabbed his first wicket when he found the edge of the bat and Barry took a sharp catch at slip leaving Shipton 108-4 off of 37 overs. The overs were now running out and so the batsmen had to play more shots and try and take some risks if they were going to set a defendable total. The batsmen were running hard for every single trying to turn as many as they could into twos. Bimalka was bowling a good spell and still causing problems for all the batsmen. Jake had now settled into a great line and length, giving very little away whilst also posing a threat with virtually every ball. Jake wrapped one batsman on the pads and he was given out LBW then in his next over he found the edge of the bat and Steve took a good catch leaving Shipton 135-6 off of 45 overs. Shipton had to keep on pressing for runs and this started to give Charlbury chances to take wickets. One batsman dragged his back found out of his ground and Steve made a great stumping off of Jake to give him his fourth wicket of the game. Next over things got even better when Bimalka wrapped a batsman on the pads and he was given out adjudged LBW. Bimalka had now finished his great 17 over spell and so Ollie had to come on for one over. Jake bowled the last over and it was a great one. Early on he clean bowled one batsman to leave Shipton nine wickets down and then last ball of the innings the last man tried to hit Jake for six, but could only find Tom Harris on the boundary who took a great catch to give Jake his sixth victim of the day and to leave Shipton all out for 169.

Charlbury were going to have to bat well if they were going to win the game. The two Tom’s opened the batting, Harris and Nash, and got Charlbury off to a good start. Tom Harris started it off by cracking a four in the first over before Tom Nash flicked one on the leg side for four in the second. The third over was good for Charlbury as the bowler bowled a bit short on the leg-side and Tom Harris stroked him for three boundaries in the over and then hit another in the next for good measure to take Charlbury to 26-0 off of four overs. Finally the bowlers started to find their length and line which made run scoring slightly harder. Then disaster struck as Tom Nash was wrapped on the pads and given out adjudged LBW. Ajit now entered the fray. Tom Harris was batting superbly well, stroking the ball around on both sides of the wicket, but also defending where necessary. Ajit started in his usual fashion, defending the good balls, but also always on the lookout for the quick single. Ajit then suddenly attacked one bowler, hitting him back over his head for two fours in one over as Charlbury continued to keep the pressure on the bowlers. Both batsmen hit another four a piece over the next couple of over to take Charlbury to 57-1 off only 12 overs. A double change in the bowling was now made. The change an immediate impact as a mix-up in the calling saw Ajit stranded in the middle of the wicket and run out. Bimalka now joined Tom at the wicket. Bimalka started slowly, just making sure no more quick wickets fell. Tom continued to attack any bowling he felt was loose, finding another four before Bimalka also smashed one delivery to the boundary. Tom was now looking in top form, stroking the ball around all over the ground, but also playing cautiously against the slower bowlers. A double change in the bowling was made as a new bowler came on from one end and the spinner moved to the other end. After 20 overs Charlbury were half way on 85-2 and just needed to keep going in order to win the game. Tom drove another delivery to the boundary to bring up a well deserved fifty. Then disaster struck as next over Bimalka got an inside edge which cannoned into his stumps and he was out bowled. Josh now entered the fray. Charlbury continued to press hard, running lots of quick singles to keep the pressure on the fielding side. Josh found a four when he drove one shot back over the bowler’s head. Tom was also pushing hard, running quick twos, but also finding the odd boundary. After 30 overs Charlbury had reached 130-3 and Shipton decided to change the bowling around and bring on a new bowler. The new bowler proved to bee costly as Tom hit his first delivery for four and then launched the next one out of the ground for six. Last ball of the over and Josh joined in the fun when he smashed a big six. Both batsmen continued to press hard in the next over with both players finding a boundary four. The new bowler continued and Tom smashed him for another couple of fours as Charlbury started to race to the victory line. A signal went out that Tom was nearing his hundred and so Josh played out a maiden over. Next over the game was won when Tom hit a boundary four and this also brought up his hundred.

A great win for the lads built on a great bowling display from Barry, Bimalka and Jake (who bowled eleven overs on the bounce) and then a great innings from Tom Harris saw Charlbury home – well played lads.

On a very hot day Charlbury won the toss and elected to bat first. The two Tom’s Harris and Nash opened the batting. The East Oxford bowlers quickly dropped into a good line and length and Charlbury realised early on it would be tough to score runs. Tom Harris straight drove one delivery straight back passed the bowler and to the boundary for four. Next over he tried to pull one, but just got a glove on it and was caught by the wicket keeper and so Ajit had to come to the crease. Tom Nash was batting in his usual way, keeping out the many good deliveries whilst also looking to push a few quick singles around. After six overs Charlbury had reached 20-1. Ajit was batting cautiously, just looking to rotate the strike whenever he could. The East Oxford bowlers were finding some bounce and this was making it hard for the batsmen to get on top of the ball. Ajit then played one down thru the slips and it raced away over the parched ground for four. Both batsmen were running hard for every run as they tried to maximise every bad delivery. The runs were coming slowly as both players just looked for the single. After 15 overs Charlbury had reached 47-1. Next over Ajit played a late cut and the ball flew to the boundary for four. Then disaster struck as last ball of the over Ajit missed it as it swung in and he was bowled. Graham now strode to the crease. A change in the bowling was made as one opening bowler left the attack. The new bowler dropped straight into a great line and length and he continued to make run scoring awkward. Graham hammered one straight back passed the bowler and it flew to the boundary for four. Another change in the bowling was then made as a spinner entered the attack in place of the other opening bowler. Graham attacked the spinner and hit him thru the covers to the boundary for four. After 24 overs Charlbury had reached 82-2. Tom pushed out at one, but did not get over it and it lobbed up to a close fielder and he was caught meaning Ben had to enter the fray. Ben played defensively at first as he tried to get himself in. Then disaster struck as Graham tried to hit out at the spinner, but the ball flew high into the air and he was caught. Bimalka now joined Ben at the crease. Bimalka was quickly off the mark when he drove the spinner for four. Ben was looking good as he just tried to push a few singles around the ground, running hard for all of them. Bimalka hit another couple of fours off of the spinner to get the Charlbury score moving. After 34 overs Charlbury had reached 110-4 and would now have to try and start pushing on if they were to set a defendable total. Then East Oxford made a double change in the bowling bringing a leg spinner on from one end and then changing ends for the first change bowler. The change worked as Bimalka missed one and was bowled by the first change bowler. Charlie now joined his son at the crease. Ben then swept the leg-spinner for two consecutive fours as Charlbury tried to get their score moving along quicker. Charlie then hit a four in the next over, but when he took a step down the wicket to the leg-spinner he missed the ball and was stumped. Barry now entered the fray. Ben hammered another four, this time in front of square, off of the leg-spinner and then took a single. Barry now went for it and tried to hit the bowler back over his head for six, but did not quite catch hold of it and was caught on the boundary leaving Charlbury 146-7 off of 45 overs. Ollie now arrived at the wicket. A change of bowling was now made as the first change left the attack and the spinner re-entered it. Ollie was wrapped on the pads by the leg-spinner and given out adjudged LBW. Ben cracked another four off of the other spinner, but then at the end of the over he just dragged his back foot out of the crease and was stumped for a good 33. Dean now joined Jake at the wicket. Jake hammered a four, but fifth ball of the over he was wrapped on the pads and given out LBW leaving Charlbury 158 all out.

Charlbury were going to have to bowl well if they were to win the game against promotion chasing East Oxford. Ollie and Bimalka opened the bowling. The batsmen started off fast, hitting a couple of early boundaries as they tried to stop the bowlers from settling. Bimalka quickly settled into a good line and length and started to cause some problems for the batsmen. One batsman tried to flick one shot off of his hip from one of Bimalka’s deliveries, but hit the ball straight to Tom Nash who gratefully took the catch. Ollie then took himself out of the attack and brought Barry into it. Barry made an immediate impact as he bowled a short one at the new batsman who just gloved the ball up into the air for Bimalka to take the catch leaving East Oxford 31-2 off of seven overs. The loss of early wickets did not stop the batsmen from attacking any delivery that they thought of as loose. The outfield was quick and so any shot that broke thru the infield went to the boundary. The fielders were backing up the bowlers with lots of diving stops and by chasing every ball, stopping many runs. Charlbury were going to need to bowl East Oxford out if they were to win the game and so short bursts from bowlers was going to have to be used. After 14 overs the score had raced onto 68-2 and so another change in the bowling was made as Jake replaced Barry in the attack. Bimalka was bowling a great spell just with little luck. Jake settled into a good line and length, but just could not make the breakthru that Charlbury needed. The runs were coming much quicker than Charlbury would have liked and so a double change in the bowling was made. Dean and Charlie now entered the attack as Charlbury desperately searched for more wickets. Finally Charlbury got the breakthru when the opening batsman hit one straight to Tom Nash and he took a good catch. In Charlie’s next over he grabbed another wicket when he wrapped a batsman on the pads and he was given out adjudged LBW. Bimalka now came back into the attack in place of Dean. After 26 overs East Oxford were 139-4. Then Bimalka grabbed his second victim of the game. The batsman tried to hit out at one of Bimalka’s deliveries, but hit it high in the air, Ollie ran backwards to catch the ball, stuck out a hand above his head and took a fantastic catch. Next over Charlbury were right back in the game as Charlie found the edge of the bat and Barry took a good catch in the slips. The batsman now just looked to push their way with singles to victory. Two runs needed for victory and the field came in, the batsman took a big swing, connected and the ball went for four and East Oxford had won by 4 wickets.

On a very hot day Abingdon Vale won the toss and put Charlbury into bat. Tom Nash and Ajit opened the batting and got Charlbury off to a reasonable start. In the second over Ajit played a late cut which flew to the boundary for four. The Abingdon bowlers quickly settled into a good length and line which made run scoring difficult. After seven overs Charlbury had reached 16-0. Ajit was playing his usual game, pushing a few singles around, but also looking to defend the good deliveries. Tom too was playing a defensive innings, keeping the many good deliveries out, but also on the lookout for the quick single. Ajit cut another delivery and the ball again flew to the boundary for four. Both batsmen were running hard for every run, trying to keep the pressure on the fielding side. Tom then launched one shot thru the covers and the ball went to the boundary for four. Next over Ajit found the boundary as the score started to move on. After 16 overs Charlbury had reached 43-0 and Abingdon made a double change in the bowling. Then disaster struck. First Ajit just moved slightly out of his ground and was stumped. Graham now came to the crease, but was not there long as before the end of the over he got a leading edge and the ball flew up into the air and he was caught. Charlie now came to the crease. Things got even worse for Charlbury in the next over as Tom chased a wide one, got an inside edge back onto his stumps and was bowled. Marcus now joined Charlbury at the crease as Charlbury tried to re-build their innings. Both players looked to just try and keep the ball out and make sure Charlbury did not lose another quick wicket. Marcus played a lovely shot thru the covers and the ball raced away to the boundary for four. Next ball Marcus miss-hit one and the ball lobbed up to a close fielder and he was caught meaning Tom Eaton entered the fray. Charlie was batting well, pushing some ones and twos around whilst also keeping out the many good deliveries. Tom hit a couple of lofted drives back over the bowler’s head for twos to ensure the scoreboard kept on ticking over. Then disaster struck as Tom tried to pull one, missed the ball and was wrapped on the pads and given out adjudged LBW. A change in the bowling was then made and this made an immediate impact. First ball from the new bowler and Charlie missed meaning he was bowled and so Ben Sinton and Paul Quibell-Smith were now at the crease. After 28 overs Charlbury had reached 70-6 and still had a long time to bat. Ben started slowly, playing defensively until he got his eye in and only looking for the single early on. Paul too started slowly, playing a lot of defensive shots to ensure more quick wickets did not fall. Ben played a straight drive and the ball went to the boundary for four. Then Paul pulled one and the ball went to the boundary as Charlbury started to try and get back in the game. Ben hammered another boundary a couple of overs later. Ben was now starting to look good as he kept the good deliveries out, but anything loose and he pushed the ball around for runs on both sides of the wicket. Paul too was looking good, playing a few shots and running hard to make sure he got value for every shot. A change in the bowling was then made as one bowler left the attack and one of the opening bowlers re-entered it. Paul hit out at one, but it was too close to a fielder and an outstretched arm saw a good catch taken. Ollie now joined Ben at the crease. Both batsmen ran hard for everything, turning ones into twos and a two into a three. Ollie was then wrapped on the pads and given out adjudged LBW leaving Charlbury 103-8 off of 39 overs. Dean now came to the crease with Charlbury still having 14 overs to bat. Ben hit another shot to the boundary for four as Charlbury continued to try and press for runs. Dean looked good as he kept the good balls out, but pushed several singles and ran hard for every run. Ben was now looking in good form scoring runs off of all the bowlers, but playing defensively when needed. Another change in the bowling was made as the other opening bowler returned to the attack. Then disaster struck as after playing so well Ben missed one and was bowled for a great 35. Jake now came to the crease. The innings soon came to a close when Jake was wrapped on the pads and given out adjudged LBW leaving Charlbury 131 all out.

Charlbury were going to have bowl really well if they were to defend their total. Jake and Ollie opened the bowling and got them off to a great start. Last ball of the first over and Jake got one to nip back off the seam and bowl one batsman. Both bowlers quickly settled into a good line and length, but with it being so hot short spells would be the order of the day. After six overs Abingdon were 20-1 and a double change in the bowling was made. Paul and Marcus now came into the attack. Paul quickly settled into a great line and length, getting the ball to nip around a bit and making the batsmen play and miss. Marcus also settled in quickly, getting a bit of turn to cause some problems. Both batsmen were just looking to stay there and get their eye in and then hit anything they thought of as loose. Then Charlbury had a big over as first Paul clean bowled one batsman, then before the over ended he wrapped the new batsman on the pads and he was given out adjudged LBW, Charlbury were right back in the game. Marcus came out of the attack and Charlie entered it as Charlbury sought to take more wickets. After 18 overs Abingdon had reached 50-3 and Charlbury were starting to get desperate for the breakthru wicket. Paul left the attack and Dean entered it. Dean dropped straight into a great line and length and the batsmen found him hard to get away. Charlie was bowling a good spell of leg spin, getting some turn and bounce to make things awkward for the batsmen. Then Charlbury got the wicket they wanted when the opening batsman who was scoring most of the runs hit the ball straight back at Dean and he took a good catch. Next over things swung back Charlbury’s way as Charlie clean bowled the new batsman leaving Abingdon 60-5 off of 22 overs. Both batsmen now took a couple of overs just to make sure they did not loose any more quick wickets. The runs started to come, slowly, but the outfield was still quick and any hard hit shots would go to the boundary. Charlbury needed to keep the runs down whilst also taking wickets, not an easy task. A double change in the bowling was made as Paul and Ben entered the attack. Abingdon were edging closer an closer to their target and Charlbury were getting desperate. Paul was bowling a great second spell, but just could not find the wicket. Ben came out of the attack and Ollie re-entered it as Charlbury continued to change things around hoping for the breakthru. After 33 overs Abingdon had reached 114-5 and now both batsmen were playing more shots as they tried to get Abingdon over the line in quick time. A couple of overs later and the game as over and Abingdon Vale had won by five wickets.

Charlbury won the toss and on a hot day elected to bat first. The two Tom’s Nash and Harris opened the batti9ng for Charlbury and got them off to a great start. Nash got the scoreboard moving when he cut one along the ground thru the slips and to the boundary for four. It took the Marston bowlers a couple of overs to find their lengths and lines. Harris then hit a four when he played a lovely shot thru the covers. Tom Nash was playing well, defending the good balls, but always on the lookout for the quick single. Tom Harris too was batting really well, again defending the good deliveries, but also pushing ones and twos around to keep the scoreboard ticking over. After 8 overs Charlbury had reached 26-0. Both players hit another boundary four as the scoreboard started to move along. Long Marston were bowling well, but both batsmen were able to punish the loose ball and with a quick outfield anything that beat the inner ring was flying to the boundary. After 14 overs a change in the bowling was made as a left arm bowler entered the attack. The new bowler struggled a bit with his line and bowled a couple of wide deliveries. Tom Harris was taking control of the innings, facing most of the deliveries and scoring at a good rate. Tom Nash was just looking to give Harris the strike, but when the ball was there to be put away he duly sent it to the boundary. After 18 overs Charlbury had reached 61-0 and had now set a good base from which to score a big total. The left armer was still struggling with his line and when he bowled several wides in one over he came out of the attack and a left arm spinner entered it. Tom Nash clattered the spinner to the cover boundary in his first over as he tried to dominate from the off. Tom Harris then played two lovely shots, one thru the covers and then the other to a wide mid-off and both shots went for four off the opening bowler. Another change in the bowling was made as another spinner entered the attack in place of the opening bowler. Both players now contented themselves with pushing a few singles to keep the score moving along. The 28th over was a big one with both batsmen finding the boundary as Charlbury reached 108-0 and Tom Harris reached a well deserved fifty. With a good base now set the batsmen had to push on hard to set up a defendable total. A couple of overs later Tom Nash pushed a single and he too reached a well deserved fifty. Then disaster struck as Tom Harris pushed at one and the ball flew straight to a close in fielder and he took the catch and Tom was out or a great 61. Graham now entered the fray. A couple of overs now ticked by as Charlbury tried to make sure they did not lose another quick wicket. Tom then reeled off three consecutive boundary fours to get the score moving again. Graham then followed this up in the next over with three fours in four balls as Charlbury started to push hard for home. One of the spinners now left the attack and another medium pacer entered it. Graham clattered him to the boundary for four, but next delivery in trying to go over the top and hit a six he was caught on the boundary leaving Charlbury 163-2 off 38 overs. Bimalka now entered the fray. Then Charlbury hit a sticky patch. A mix up in the calling saw Tom just short of his ground to a direct hit and run out for a magnificent 69. Next ball Barry jabbed down on it, but the ball spun back, hit the stumps and he was bowled. Marcus now joined Bimalka at the crease. Next over Bimalka was wrapped on the pads and given out LBW and so Ben Geeson-Brown entered the fray. Things then went from bad to worse when Marcus was wrapped on the pads and given out LBW meaning Steve had to come to the crease. After 42 overs Charlbury were 178-6 and still had eleven overs to bat. Ben then went on the attack. First he hit a massive six, then next ball he smashed it for four. Steve also joined in the fun hitting a couple of boundary fours off of the next over to take Charlbury over the 200 mark. A change in the bowling was made as the fourth change bowler came out of the attack and one of the opening bowlers entered it. In his first over back the new bowler clean bowled Ben for a hard hit 27. Ollie came to the crease. Steve then tried to hit the spinner for six, but did not quite get hold of it and was caught on the boundary. Dean now joined his captain at the wicket. The game was moving along quickly now as Ollie edged one and was caught by the wicket-keeper meaning Jake came to the crease. Then Charlbury got a bonus when one delivery alluded both Jake and the wicket-keeper and then as the fielder threw the ball in it hit the helmet and Charlbury were awarded five penalty runs. Next over Jake was wrapped on the pads and given out LBW to leave Charlbury 227 all out.

Charlbury were going to have to bowl well if they were to win the game as Long Marston gained all of the unused overs from Charlbury’s innings. Jake and Ollie opened the bowling and got Charlbury off to a reasonable start. Both batsmen attacked the ball from early on as they sought to get in front of the required rate. The outfield was still quick and so several deliveries flew to the boundary for four. Then in the sixth over Ollie got the breakthru when he wrapped a batsman on the pads and he was given out adjudged LBW leaving Marston 29-1. Both bowlers had settled into good lines and lengths and were causing some problems for the batsmen, who played and missed several times. The batsmen continued to attack and the boundaries continued to come , although not many singles were being taken. After twelve overs Ollie took himself out of the attack and brought Ben into it as Charlbury continued to search for wickets. Jake bowled one more over and then he was replaced by Bimalka. Ben quickly dropped into a good line and length and started to make run scoring more difficult for the batmen. Bimalka was unusually for him hit out at in his first over, but then he dropped into his usual miserly line and length. After 18 overs Marston had reached 91-1 and Charlbury were going to need to keep taking wickets if they were to stay in the game. Marston had 51 overs in which to reach their target so Charlbury were going to have to keep the pressure on. One batsman decided to attack Ben and hit some runs off of him to keep the run rate going. Ben left the attack and Barry entered it as Charlbury now began to get desperate to get the breakthru wicket. A couple of overs later Bimalka left the attack and Dean entered it. Dean made the vital breakthru as one batsman tried to smash him, missed the ball and was bowled, now Charlbury were back in the game. After 28 overs Marston were 135-2. Barry was bowling a great spell, getting some bounce and a little bit of movement. A double change in the bowling was then made as Bimalka re-entered the attack and Marcus entered it as Charlbury looked to strangle to life out of the Marston innings. In his second over back Bimalka grabbed a wicket when one batsman hit the ball in the air, Barry moved to his left, stuck out his big hands and took a good catch. A couple of overs later things got even better for Charlbury as the new batsman hit the ball straight back at Marcus and he gratefully took the catch. Long Marston were 165-4 off 36 overs, it was going to be tight. The number three batsman was still there and Charlbury would need him out if they were to stand any chance of victory. In his next over Marcus got another wicket when one batsman played a low drive, but hit the ball straight to a diving Bimalka who took a great catch. Charlbury were now right back in the game. The overs ticked by with the batsmen content to just push a few singles around and trying not to take any risks. Marcus was hit for a few runs in one over, but next over Bimalka kept Charlbury in the game when the new batsman lobbed the ball back at him for a catch. Long Marston were 195-6 off 43 overs. Marcus came out of the attack and Barry re-entered it. Barry was on the mark from ball one, he dropped straight into a fantastic line and length and immediately caused problems for the batsmen. Barry also got a bit of bounce out of the pitch which surprised the batsmen. Then Charlbury got the wicket they needed. The set batsman tried to hit out at Barry, but hit the ball high in the air and Tom Harris ran in from the square boundary to take a fantastic catch. Now it was down to the lower order to get the necessary runs. 216-7 off 49 overs, one a ball needed for the last two overs. An early boundary off of Barry looked to have sealed it for Marston, but Barry came back with some fantastic deliveries to mean Bimalka had six runs to defend. The batsman attacked too hard, looking for the boundary rather than the single and could only manage two in the last over as Charlbury hung on for a winning draw.

A great draw for the lads built on two fabulous innings at the start from the two Tom’s and then a great all round bowling and fielding display – well done lads.